To reduce fuel consumption and pollution emissions, and purchase vehicles that provide the best value on a life cycle cost basis, the state must take the following actions:

At least 75% of state motor vehicle acquisitions must be AFVs, and the remaining 25% must be HEVs to the greatest extent possible. By 2025, 25% of state motor vehicle acquisitions must be ZEVs;

All new light-duty trucks in the state fleet must achieve a minimum city fuel economy of 19 miles per gallon (mpg) and achieve at least a Low Emission Vehicle certification, and all new passenger vehicles in the state fleet must achieve a minimum city fuel economy of 23 mpg;

All state agencies must purchase the most economical, fuel-efficient, and lowest emission vehicles appropriate to meet requirements and discourage the purchase of sport utility vehicles;

All state agencies must purchase low rolling resistance tires with superior tread life for state vehicles when possible; and

All state vehicles must be maintained according to manufacturer specifications, including specified tire pressures and ratings.

The town of Warren may allow excise tax exemptions of up to $100 for qualified AFVs registered in Warren. Qualified vehicles must be primarily fueled with one of the following: an electric motor drawing current from rechargeable batteries or fuel cells; gas produced from biomass, where biomass is defined as any organic material other than oil, natural gas, and coal; liquid, gaseous or solid synthetic fuels produced from coal; or coke or coke gas. (Reference Rhode Island General Laws 44-34-14)

Motor vehicles may not idle unnecessarily for longer than five consecutive minutes during any 60-minute period. This includes heavy-duty diesel vehicles used to perform any state public works contracts. Unnecessary idling does not include circumstances exempted by regulations the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) has adopted, such as when it is necessary to operate heating and cooling equipment to ensure the health or safety of drivers and passengers. Other vehicles exempt from these requirements include, but are not limited to, the following: 1) emergency response, public safety, or military vehicles; 2) armored vehicles being loaded or unloaded; 3) non-road vehicles; and 4) vehicles making deliveries of fuel or energy products. Violators of these regulations will be fined up to $100 for the first offense and up to $500 for each succeeding offense. (Reference Rhode Island General Laws 23-23-29.2 and 31-16.1)

Full-size school buses equipped with an engine from Model Year (MY) 1993 or older may not be used to transport school children in Rhode Island. Additionally, provided that there is sufficient federal or state funding, all full-size school buses transporting children in the state must be retrofitted with a closed crankcase ventilation system and either: 1) be equipped with a Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 emissions control retrofit device that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has verified; 2) be equipped with a MY 2007 or newer engine; or 3) achieve the same or greater reductions in diesel particulate matter as compared to an alternative fuel, such as compressed natural gas, and be verified by CARB or EPA to reduce diesel particulate matter emissions at a level equivalent to or greater than a MY 2007 or newer engine. (Reference Rhode Island General Laws 31-47.3-3)

A low-speed vehicle may operate on the roadways of Prudence Island between the hours of 6:00 am and 6:00 pm. A low-speed vehicle may not operate on a street or highway with a posted speed limit greater than 25 miles per hour (mph), but it may cross a street or highway with a posted speed limit greater than 35 mph. For the purpose of this regulation, a low-speed vehicle is defined as a self-propelled, electric or gas powered motor vehicle that is designed to carry no more than four passengers; is designed to be and is operated at speeds of not more than 25 mph; and conforms to the maximum safety equipment requirements and standards specified in Title 49 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, section 571.500. (Reference Rhode Island General Laws 31-19.4-1)

Heavy-duty diesel vehicles used to perform federally funded state public works contracts must be powered by engines with Level 3 emissions control devices that are properly operated and maintained. If the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management determines that no verified Level 3 devices are appropriate on particular engines, Level 2 devices are required. Likewise, if no verified Level 2 devices are appropriate, Level 1 devices are required. Exceptions to this requirement include, but are not limited to, snow removal vehicles and equipment, farm equipment, emergency response vehicles, standby generators, and vehicles used on a project for less than 30 total work days over the life of the project. (Reference Rhode Island General Laws 31-47.3-5)

The Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles may issue special vehicle license plates to owners of electric drive vehicles, including those powered in whole or in part by a storage battery. Eligible vehicles include hybrid electric, plug-in hybrid electric, and all-electric vehicles registered as electric drive vehicles in the state. (Reference Rhode Island General Laws 31-3-101)

The Rhode Island Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council (EC4) was established to coordinate efforts between state agencies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The Council will pursue GHG emissions reductions of 10% below 1990 levels by 2020, 45% below 1990 levels by 2035, and 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. With assistance from the Council, state agencies will develop programs to encourage state employees to reduce vehicle miles traveled and use public transportation when available. The Council will also work with municipalities to encourage sustainability; identify federal, state, and private funding opportunities that can be leveraged to reduce emissions in Rhode Island; and develop GHG emissions reduction strategies. The Council submitted a plan in December 2016 with suggested strategies for GHG emissions reduction activities to the governor. (Reference Rhode Island General Laws 42-6.2)

The Charge Up! program provides rebates to state and municipal agencies for the purchase and installation of publicly accessible Level 2 or DC fast chargers. Agencies are eligible for up to $60,000 in incentives for EVSE that are installed and operational on or after July 1, 2016. Agencies that install EVSE also qualify for up to $15,000 to support the purchase or lease of a new PEV acquired on or after July 1, 2016, as part of their public sector fleet. For more information, see the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources Charge Up! website.

PP&L's Drive Green with PP&L program provides discounts on qualified PEVs purchased or leased from participating dealerships. The discount program is available to all consumers, including those that are not in PP&L's service territory. For more information, including participating dealerships and the discounts they offer, see the Drive Green with PP&L website.

The Rhode Island Clean Diesel Fund provides companies with reimbursement grants to reduce emissions from heavy-duty diesel vehicles. Qualified vehicle improvements include vehicle replacements, engine repowers, conversions to alternative vehicle fuels, idle reduction technologies, and other fuel-efficient technologies. To be eligible, vehicles must be registered with the Rhode Island Department of Motor Vehicles, and 50% of the vehicle miles travelled or hours of operation must be in Rhode Island for at least five years following receiving the grant. For more information, including eligibility and application requirements, see the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Clean Diesel Fund website. (Reference Rhode Island General Laws 31-47.3-5.1).

A vehicle primarily powered by natural gas may exceed the state's gross vehicle weight limits by a weight equal to the difference between the weight of the vehicle with the natural gas tank and fueling system and the weight of a comparable vehicle with a diesel tank and fueling system. The NGV maximum gross weight may not exceed 82,000 pounds. (Reference House Bill 7776, 2018, and Rhode Island General Laws 31-25-2)

A low-speed vehicle may operate on the roadways of the City of Newport as a commercial jitney service between the hours of 6am and 12am. A low-speed vehicle may not operate on a street or highway with a posted speed limit greater than 25 miles per hour (mph), but it may cross a street or highway with a posted speed limit greater than 35 mph. For the purpose of this regulation, a low-speed vehicle is defined as a self-propelled, electric, or gas powered motor vehicle that is designed to carry no more than eight passengers; is designed to be and is operated at speeds of not more than 25 mph; and conforms to the maximum safety equipment requirements and standards specified in Title 49 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, section 571.500. (Reference House Bill 8203, 2018, and Rhode Island General Laws 31-19.5-1)